Apparatus for uncoupling railroad cars

ABSTRACT

An elongate arm is pivotally connected at one end to supporting means adapted to be mounted adjacent a railroad track. Drive means are provided for pivoting the arm away from the supporting means so as to engage and actuate an uncoupling lever attached to a standard railroad car coupling, thereby opening the coupling. The apparatus can be automated, and can be employed in combination with a train positioner. Appropriate sensing means, such as limit switches and valves, can be used to indicate when the coupling is open and to control the pressure exerted by the pivoting arm on the uncoupling lever. Jogging means can be utilized to jog the cars in order to loosen tight couplings.

United States Patent Peterson et al.

[151 3,682,325 1 1 Aug. 8, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR UNCOUPLIN RAILROADCARS [72] Inventors: Thomas D. Peterson; Ralph W. Crosser, J12, both ofSalt Lake City, Utah [73] Assignee: Kennecott Copper Corporation,

New York City, N.Y.

[22] Filed: July 2,1970

[211 Appl. No.: 52,023

[52] US. Cl ..2l3/21l, 213/75 R, 213/219 511 1111.0 ..B6lg 7/04 [58]Field 61se11111..213/7s R, 75 A, 211,212, 219, 2l3/l66 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,205,830 6/1940 Flannery .213/212 2,283,7315/1942 Goss ..213/75 A 2,998,145 8/1961 Maurer,S1-. ..213/212 2,199,4605/1940 11616611111 ..213/75 R Primary Examiner-Drayton E. HoffmanAttorney-John L. Sniado, Mallinckrodt 8: Comaby and Philip A.Mallinckrodt 57 ABSTRACT An elongate arm is pivotally connected at oneend to supporting means adapted to be mounted adjacent a railroad track.Drive means are provided for pivoting the arm awayfrom the supportingmeans so as to engage and actuate an uncoupling lever attached to astandard railroad car coupling, thereby opening the coupling. Theapparatus can be automated, and can be employed in combination with atrain positioner. Appropriate sensing means, such as limit switches andvalves, can be used to indicate when the coupling is open and to controlthe pressure exerted by the pivoting arm on the uncoupling lever.Jogging means can be utilized to jog the cars in order to loosen tightcouplings.

- 10 Claim, Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR UNCOUPLING RAILROAD CARSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION coupling pins, which are downwardly insertedrespectively into apertures in the two clamps to prevent the clamps fromopening. The coupling is so constructed that the removal of only one pinwill permit the corresponding clamp to open and release the other clamp,

although the second clamp may still have the coupling pin in place.

A pin is conventionally extracted from the clamp by manually raising adownwardly extending lever pivotally attached to one outer comer of therailway car. The lever is connected through a connecting bar to the topor bottom of the coupling pin protruding from the clamp. As the lever ispivoted, the connecting bar rotates and raises the pin from the clamp,thereby opening the coupling.

Attempts have been made to devise apparatus to mechanically uncouple thecats, in order to avoid the expense and time loss in having workmenmanually perform the uncoupling manipulations. These attempts haveconcentrated almost exclusively on designing new couplings for captiverailway cars or toy train systems for which rather elaborate,specialized uncoupling equipment is necessary. In addition, all of theredesigned uncoupling systems have no provision for remote control oractuation, and furthermore require the railway cars to be moving alongthe track to actuate the uncoupling mechanism; see, for example, U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,132,749; 3,160,286; 2,631,739; and 1,028,531. Prior to thisinvention no effective device had been developed 'which could uncouple astandard car coupling either selectively or automatically, or coulddetect malfunctions of the coupling or the uncoupling mechanism.

Objective: It was an objective therefore in the development of thisinvention to provide uncoupling apparatus for selectively andautomatically uncoupling standard railroad car couplings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention the apparatus has anelongate arm pivotally attached to a supporting means adapted to bemounted adjacent a railroad track. Drive means connected to the armpivots the arm from the supporting means into contact with theuncoupling lever of the car coupling. As the arm continues to pivot, thelever is actuated to open the coupling and permit the railroad cars tobe separated.

As an additional feature, the apparatus preferably has a signalingmechanism which provides an appropriate signal when the coupling isopen. Suitable sensing means, such as limit switches, valves, orconstant pressure, variable flow pumps, can also be employed to regulatethe amount of pressure applied by the arm to the uncoupling lever. Ifthe coupling binds, the arm stops short of damaging the coupling or itslinkage. Tight couplings can usually be easily loosened by jogging theadjacent railroad car several times using appropriate jogging means.Once the coupling has been loosened, the arm can complete its pivot andopen the coupling.

It iscontemplated that the uncoupling apparatus will be automated andemployed with a train positioner or in a gravity controlled hump yard touncouple selected cars from a string of railroad cars. For example, thetrain positioner positions a car so that the appropriate coupling islocated adjacent the uncoupling device, which is then activated to openthe coupling. The train positioner moves the uncoupled car forward andthe uncoupling device returns to its rest position. This procedureovercomes a problem inherent in many proposed uncoupling mechanisms, inthat most of the mechanisms are constructed to uncouple every car as itpasses the mechanism, even though this may not be desirable. If acoupling is frozen, the coupling will be broken, or the uncouplingmechanism will be damaged. The apparatus of the-invention provides forselective uncoupling, so that only those couplings are opened for whichthe device is actuated. Moreover, the apparatus has its own power sourceand is not dependent on the moving cars to. provide the necessary forceto open the couplings. I

THE DRAWINGS The best mode presently contemplated of carrying out theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is' a view in perspective of the uncoupling device, showing theuncoupling arm engaging the uncoupling lever of a coupling between twocoupled railroad cars;

FIG. 2, a schematic showing of fluid reservoir fluid flow lines, andswitching valve;

FIG. 2a, the portion of FIG. 2 enclosedby dotted line 2a and drawn toshow the valve in its reverse position;

FIG. 3, a schematic plan view of a pair of uncoupling devices disposedon alternate sides of the track, with a train positioner for moving thecars to bring the appropriate coupling into position adjacent thedevices;

FIG. 4, an enlarged side elevation taken from the standpoint of line4-4, FIG. 3, and showing the uncoupling device at rest;

FIG. 5, a plan view of the situation depicted in FIG. 3, but with thecar coupling now in position adjacent the uncoupling device;

FIG. 6, a view corresponding to that of FIG. 4 but showing the arm inthe uncoupling position; and

FIG. 7, a plan view of a different form of the apparatus, wherein arotary actuator constitutes the drive means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 6, a preferred embodiment of the invention has means 10 forsupporting anarm 11 mounted on a horizontal plate 12 that'rests on theground 13 adjacent a railroad track 14. Arm 11 is shown in the act ofpivoting vertically about a horizontal axis. Another operable embodiment(not illustrated) has the arm horizontally pivotable about a verticalaxis and mounted on an upright supporting means disposed adjacent thetrack.

The supporting means comprises, in this embodiment, a horizontal bar 15disposed adjacent track 14 I and rotatably secured along its length to ablock 16 by means of two bushings 17 and 18. Block 16 is mounted on thecorner of plate 12 nearest track 14. Horizontal bar 15 is fixedlyattached at one end to a lever 19 which is pivotally connected to thedrive means. The drive means includes a hydraulic ram 20 in thisembodiment. The opposite end of horizontal bar 15 is fixedly attachedtoone end of arm 11. Arm 11 pivots upwardly as horizontal bar 15 isrotated clockwise. A structural bracket 1 la disposed on the free end ofarm 11 holds a cylinder 21 adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis. Asarm 11 pivots upwardly, rotatable cylinder 21 engages the downwardlyextending uncoupling lever 22 which is attached through connecting rod23 to the coupling pin 24 of the coupling 25 between two railroad cars26, 27. As arm 11 continues to pivot upwardly, lever 22 is pivotedupwardly to withdraw pin 24, thereby opening the coupling.

I Coupling 25, as shown, comprises two cooperating horizontal clamps 25aand 25b, each attached respectively to conventional railroad cars 26,27.

In this embodiment, coupling pin 24 is inserted vertically in anaperture in clamp 25a; while a corresponding coupling pin 28 is insertedin an aperture in clamp 25b, and is adapted to be opened from theopposite side of car 27 in a manner similar to that described inconnection with pin 24. When either pin 24 or pin 28 is withdrawn fromthe coupling, the corresponding clamp 25a or 25b is unlocked and can beseparated from the other clamp by separating the two railroad cars.

Hydraulic ram 20 is of conventional construction having a hollowcylinder 29 adapted to be filled with fluid from forward and rear fluidsupply lines 30 and 31. Cylinder 29 is pivotally attached at one endthereof to plate 12 by a bracket 29a. Disposed concentrically withincylinder 29 is a longitudinally slidable rod 32 which is adapted toextend outwardly from the free end of cylinder 29. Rod 32 is slidablysecured within cylinder 29 by means of a gasket (not shown) attachedconcentrically around the end of rod 32 interiorly of cylinder 29between supply lines 30 and 31. As fluid alternately flows into oppositeends of cylinder 29 from supply lines 30 and 31, rod 32 is reciprocatedwithin the cylinder by the alternating pressure of the incoming fluid.The exterior end of rod 32 is attached to a bracket 32a, which ispivotally attached to lever 19, so that the reciprocating longitudinalmovement of rod 32 results in the pivoting action of lever 19 to raiseand lower arm 11. As a means of guiding rod 32 as it travels back andforth from cylinder 29, a guide rod 33 is mounted on the hydraulic ramwith one end fixedly attached to bracket 32a by means of a short,upwardly extending support 32b. The other end of guide rod 33 islongitudinally and slideably mounted on the top of cylinder 29 through asmall bushing 33a.

FIG. 2 illustrates a pump and fluid feed line system for use inproviding supply lines 30 and 31 of hydraulic ram 20 with alternatingfluid feed. In order to raise arm 1 1 from its rest position, fluid isdrawn from a fluid reservoir 34 through line 35 by a pump 36, and pumpedthrough lines 37 and 31 into cylinder 29. Simultaneously the return flowof fluid from supply line 30 is effected to the reservoir 34 throughline 38. When the arm is to be lowered, the fluid input is reversed tofeed fluid into the forward portion of cylinder 29 by rotating the feedand exhaust lines 41 and 42, as shown in FIG. 2a. This is accomplishedby a signal from a solenoid 39 which rotates a valve 40counterclockwise, so that feed line 37 is connected through line 41 tosupply line 30. Pump 36 then pumps fluid through lines 37 and 30 intocylinder 29. The outflowing fluid from line 31 is shunted through line42 to line 38, and from there into reservoir 34.

Fluid pressure regulating means are preferably employed to regulate thefluid pressure within thehydraulic rarn in order to maintain the ram ina raised position to hold the coupling open and also to prevent unduepressure from being exerted on the arm and uncoupling lever if thecoupling binds. Appropriate pressure sensing and regulating meansinclude constant pressure, variable flow pumps, and check valves in thefluid feed line used in conjunction with variable pressure, constantflow pumps.

When arm 11 is fully pivoted, so that coupling 25 is open, it ispreferred to have a limit switch or other signaling device actuated byarm 11 to signal that the uncoupled cars can be separated.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the uncoupling device is advantageously used inconjunction with a train positioner 43 to uncouple cars from a trainwithout the aid of a switchman. The train positioner 43 isconventionally mounted on an elongate support or wall 44 extendingparallel to the track 45, and is adapted to move horizontally alongsupport 44. In operation, positioner 43 secures itself to a coupling 46(FIG. 3), and moves the car or cars 47, 48, 49 into position (FIG. 5),so that the desired coupling 50 is located adjacent the uncouplingdevice 10. The train positioner can be equipped with a limit switch 51,so that when the positioner strikes the switch 51 and stops, theappropriate coupling is in proper position adjacent the uncouplingdevice 10. With the coupling in proper position as shown in FIG. 5, thearm 11 pivots from a horizontal position shown in FIG. 4 to the uprightposition shown in FIG. 6 and opens the coupling by engaging and pivotingthe uncoupling lever.

Additional features can be included in the system to insure automaticoperation. For example, a second uncoupling device 52 can be mounted onthe opposite side of the tracks 45 to extract the second pin by pivotingthe uncoupling lever on the adjacent car 49. If one pin cannot bepulled, the other pin can be, and the coupling is opened without furtherdelay. In the event the coupling cannot be opened by the uncouplingdevice because the coupling binds, provision can be made for jogging thecoupling to loosen it by moving car 48 slightly back and forth, whileholding the other car 49 stationary with a scissors clamp 53 whichclamps the forward wheel of car 49. Operation of all devices in thesystem, i.e., the uncoupling device, train positioner,

jogging mechanism, and scissors clamp, among others, can be controlledfrom the same source, for example, 'a master control board havingindicators for the varying conditions of each system component at anygiven time. The sequencing of operations can be completely interlockedwith automatic operation and signaling means.

Analtemative means for driving the pivoting arm is shown in FIG. 7, inwhich the hydraulic ram is replaced with a fluid-driven rotary actuator54 which is attached directly to one end of the horizontal bar 55mounted on base 59 by means of bushings 60, 60a, and 60b. As actuator S4revolves it rotates bar 55 to pivot arm 56 so that cylinder 56a canengage the uncoupling lever (not shown). Fluid supply lines 57, 58 areconnected with the fluid supply system illustrated in FIG. 2. Othermeans of actuation include an electric motor or motors, with or withoutgear reduction.

Whereas this invention is here illustrated and described with respect tocertain preferred forms thereof, it is to be understood that manyvariations are possible without departing from the inventive conceptsparticularly pointed out in the claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for uncoupling stationary railroad cars which are providedwith standard couplings having pivoted uncoupling levers extendingdownwardly along the sides thereof, comprising in combination:

support means disposed adjacent to and laterally of a railroad track;

an elongate arm pivotally mounted on said support means and adapted toswing upwardly from a generally horizontal rest position with sufficientforce to engage and actuate an uncoupling lever of a coupling betweentwo stationary cars on the track; and

drive means connected to the said arm for forcibly swinging it upwardlyfrom its said rest position to actuate said uncoupling lever and forreturning it to its said rest position.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongate arm pivotsabout a horizontal axis.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support meanscomprises a horizontal bar rotatably attached by brackets to a baseplate disposed adjacent the track, said horizontal bar being connectedat one end to the elongate arm and at the other end to a downwardlyextending lever attached to the drive means.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the drive means comprisesin combination:

a fluid cylinder having a longitudinally displaceable rod extending fromone end thereof, said rod being operationally connected at its free endto the downwardly-extending lever and actuated by changes in thedirection of fluid pressure within the cylinder:

a fluid pump for pumping fluid through fluid lines to and from thecylinder; and

switching means for changing the direction of fluid pressure in thecylinder.

' 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the drive means hasmeans for regulating the pressure applied to the pivoting of theelongate arm.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including means rearmsstraneness... signal. ing means to signal the opening of the coupling.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongate arm has arotatable cylinder transversely mounted on the free end of the arm, saidrotatable cylinder adapted to engage the pivotable coupling lever.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a wheel scissors clampfor holding at least one of the two cars stationary on the track withrespect to the elongate arm.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including means for separatingthe two cars after the coupling has been opened.

1. Apparatus for uncoupling stationary railroad cars which are providedwith standard couplings having pivoted uncoupling levers extendingdownwardly along the sides thereof, comprising in combination: supportmeans disposed adjacent to and laterally of a railroad track; anelongate arm pivotally mounted on said support means and adapted toswing upwardly from a generally horizontal rest position with sufficientforce to engage and actuate an uncoupling lever of a coupling betweentwo stationary cars on the track; and drive means connected to the saidarm for forcibly swinging it upwardly from its said rest position toactuate said uncoupling lever and for returning it to its said restposition.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongate armpivots about a horizontal axis.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1,wherein the support means comprises a horizontal bar rotatably attachedby brackets to a base plate disposed adjacent the track, said horizontalbar being connected at one end to the elongate arm and at the other endto a downwardly extending lever attached to the drive means. 4.Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the drive means comprises incombination: a fluid cylinder having a longitudinally displaceable rodextending from one end thereof, said rod being operationally connectedat its free end to the downwardly-extending lever and actuated bychanges in the direction of fluid pressure within the cylinder: a fluidpump for pumping fluid through fluid lines to and from the cylinder; andswitching means for changing the direction of fluid pressure in thecylinder.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the drive meanshas means for regulating the pressure applied to the pivoting of theelongate arm.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including means forjogging the cars to loosen the coupling.
 7. Apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, including signaling means to signal the opening of thecoupling.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongate armhas a rotatable cylinder transversely mounted on the free end of thearm, said rotatable cylinder adapted to engage the pivotable couplinglever.
 9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a wheel scissorsclamp for holding at least one of the two cars stationary on the trackwith respect to the elongate arm.
 10. An apparatus as set forth in claim1, including means for separating the two cars after the coupling hasbeen opened.